Just started my 550 adventure

I'm new here just wanted to check in and say hi and look around. I just started my 550 project this weekend by pulling the motor trans and front rack of my 68 donor bug. I have pretty much decided on a Thunder Ranch kit because I would like to do part of my build myself.
I have a couple questions for all of you though. I am looking for the small Porsche crests for the hood and trunk of the car where is a good place to source these from and also the silver color for a 550, what is it. My friend has a polar silver 911 and it does not look like the color at all so I'm wondering what people have used to paint their cars. I plan to put up a small page to document my project if anyone is interested.

Mike

Mike--congratulations on beginning your project. You can get the emblems from Russ Rodriguez at FiberSteel.com. He can probably send you a template for drilling the holes as well. v v

Mike,

Check out Mercedes #735, Astral Silver. This seems to be the color that some (including myself) finally settled on as the most authentic shade of silver for the late 50's early 60's racers (when national racing colors were still in fashion).

Remember, in the period your 550 was new, there was no such thing as the eye-popping frosty glittering 3-mile-deep metallic finishes available on new cars today. Anyway, you probably don't want your "classic" confused with a bass boat.

Mercedes Astral Silver is an old color. Look for it on an early 70s SL or something from MB in that period. Astral Silver was the "standard" MB German silver in the 60's, 70's and maybe into the 80's.

In the end, color is a personal choice -- what ever you choose is the right color for you.

Mark

Mark,
I too will be soon starting a project car (a new one that is - have about a month to go on the 54 Bentley). How I wish I had your message earlier, but that car is already sold anyway. This time I am certainly going to paint a large metal panel in the color you suggest.........and look at it for a month or so. That effort starts when the shops open on Monday.
Just great information, and thanks again.
James Pate

Hi, We too have a Beck 55o Spyder, that we are also building. The "instruction" manual is virtually useless. What are you working from?
Jackie

Hi to everyone especially the 550 builders! Our build is done but if someone needs a copy of the Thunder Ranch 550 assembly guide (it's pretty skinny), I'd be glad to copy it and send it to you. It was not useful for our 6 cylinder car as all the suspension etc., is different, but would be useful for other builds.
angela

The Bentley manual for mid 1960s VW Beetles is the best reference for a 4 cyl VW powered Beck kit.

Have fun,
Mike